This curriculum guide, developed for use in secondary vocational home economics education in Texas, is correlated closely with the essential elements prescribed by the State Board of Education. The competencies in each guide are the essential elements, and the subcompetencies are the subelements prescribed in the Texas Administrative Codes for vocational home economics. A conceptual outline of each unit is shown in the left-hand column, with corresponding learning and evaluation experiences in the right-hand column. These relate to the subelements of each unit. Teaching aids keyed to the learning and evaluation experiences--including transparency masters, activities, and exercises--are located at the end of the book. Key points for discussion and review and critical questions are highlighted. The seven units of the guide cover the following topics: parenthood; prenatal and postnatal care; development of children; selection and use of appropriate child guidance techniques; social implications on the development of the child; special needs; and career options and adjustments. (KC)